LA Food Journal

J’adore Chinese Chicken Salad + Camelia!!!

Hi Bunnies,

I spent last week in LA :). I grew up right outside of it but would say I only know so many restaurants and classics as I spent most of my adult time in New York. It has become a fun place to explore and get to have a new relationship with. Especially with food…

Here is what I ingested:

1. Camelia

The day we landed we went to a new restaurant, Camelia, where my sister, Kono works as a cook! I am extremely proud of her and it was my first time seeing her in this kitchen. I always knew of her precision and thoughtfulness and it made me emotional to see it in action.

It was a Monday and it was packed. I don’t even feel like restaurants in NY do well on Mondays anymore. We were greeted by an older female valet, who was sick as fuck. It is probably the first time that I have encountered this. She was very chic, and felt like she would be my friend’s mom.

Then we entered, everyone was excited to meet more of KONO’s family ( my parents now have been multiple times. ) It was them, Lisa (my Aunt), Brian ( Kono’s boyfriend), and Drew + me.

We ordered as much as we could. I got the Decibel Martini which was not as good as Drew’s Army Navy. I think as for Martinis go- I am in the camp of a classic dirty vodka and I should note this for when I attempt to veer off. Then for dinner we drank a glass of this and it was perfect.

Let me tell you everything we ate:

The sesame Parker house rolls with Ikura and butter (perfection perfection), The uni toast ( probably my top or second favorite thing of the night), Crab Blinis - amazing but I think I was imaging or desiring something different, Aioli Garni with so many beautiful veggies. It was stunning and a nice crisp to balance out the night. I highly recommend the salad. (THAT KONO also MADE), Tomato salad, Dragon Tongue Beans - which I was hesitant about but ended up devouring!!! , 2 table burgers - This is one of our traditions. I loved it. It had a nice kick from the peppers. And I love a juicy patty with a soft bun on the bottom that almost stick to the inside of your mouth, 2 Spaghetti Bolognese ( must get), Striped bass, And the chicken ( the sauce made it feel fishy for me?)

I would love to try their kombu rice and I am obsessed with curry ketchup that they serve that with their fries.

For Dessert we had Gateau au Chocolat and a pudding. Japanese pudding and I have always not been such close of friends. But overall there was such a positive energy of the people in the space, happy to be eating exciting new food in LA. I find so much of the food in LA quite the same or all pushing “farmer’s market”. Farmer’s market and local produce should be apart of your practice regardless and not the definition of your menu. What Camelia accomplished was the perfect balance of Japanese to French to American. There is a path that could be too gimmicky, but Camelia stayed clear and for that I am grateful.

Side note, One of the people who worked there had known bagel bunny and anytime this happens, I blush and am honored to have built a little thing that can be recognized and create curiosity.

2. Chinese chicken salads.

This might be my all time favorite meal. Why do you think we don’t have these everywhere? What made this an la thing? I would love to look into this next week and get back to you. I have a thing for Chin Chins (specifically) because this is what I remember eating as a kid. My friend Maddy growing up would have it at every birthday party. Other parents would also have it catered for events and I dream of it to this day. I met my friend Ally at the one in West Hollywood and it was so funny, next to the office for Selling Sunset. There are two kinds of crunchies, I this this a secret to a good CCS. Almonds, shredded carrots, scallion and iceberg lettuce. It is gingery and sesame-y and the sauce is slightly red.

A few days later I had the one at Joans on Third which I also like but I don’t feel has much dimension. The chicken is breaded, which I generally like but it doesn’t hit as hard. What carries that one through is its dressing. I will make my own version when I am back from travels and send out the recipe.

3. Nothing like froyo

After a warm night swim we stopped at Malibu Yogurt. It has been there since I was a kid. I like mine tart flavor with coconut and carob chips

Or I will typically add strawberries depending on how they look

.

4. Hollywood Bowl

The always something magical there. We saw Herbie Hancock, I obviously shed a tear with absolute gratitude for my life. We went to cookbook on larchmont and loaded on cheese and meats and a baguette. The other couple in our box had not brought anything to picnic with. In a nonjudgmental way it made me kind of sad. LIVE IN SPIRIT! DO THE THING! FULLY! Going to the Hollywood bowl often could convince me to move to La. Has anyone started a salad bowl place or poke bowl place called Hollywood bowl?

5. Erewhon, duh.

Otherwise, I did my yearly Erewhon trek with my mom and kono.

I always get their buffalo cauliflower and their short ribs from the hot bar. We tried the Hailey Bieber smoothie- tasted just like a strawberry smoothie to me hehe. I wonder to the actual health benefits?

It is saddening to see my favorite NY staple- East Village Organic- needing to make a photographic blue version of the Erewhon smoothie. I’m curious to the uncoolness in following trends especially in business. Is it that hard to create our own exciting trends all the while being truthful and aligned with our brand?

I am not a trend writer but any means but it seems that following these things we see on IG + TikTok might bring a couple new people. but have we forgotten about who we are?

I also feel sympathetic to needing to stay in business but I find that it tarnishes your value. I love Erewhon and I love EVO but for extremely different reasons. One is shiny, and the other smells like my childhood smoothie bar- with two soups each day and a closed juice bar on Mondays- doing what is sustainable to them. Maybe this is just a core belief of mine though, inauthenticity has always rubbed me wrong. And I see it so clearly- even in people.

Others

Drew took me to dialog this breakfast spot he loves. A Solid Yummy, something for everyone. The girl complimented me on my hair clips and she was adorable. I told Drew at breakfast I would be sad to move to La because I wouldn’t run into people like I do everyday in NY. And of course I ran into her in a parking lot later that day. And then another friend of ours that I had dinner with 3 days prior in ny. Seems like someone was trying to prove something wrong to me.

Snack time :

Karma Cashews: We bought these at an airport and laughed at them being called wrapped cashews - something feels promiscuous and like the slogans on it were written by someone being cheeky. I like the Turmeric flavor and the texture.

We ate my must have LA meal of Cholada (YELLOW CURRY) and French Fries from Malibu Mutt, grab a green juice to go with it from Sunlife next door. I must always get these things. I do prefer Vitamin Barn to Sunlife though.

Ok love you, eat well!

Sakura

Ps, if this week’s photos or formatting is weird I am sorry I am traveling and I’m an Ipad which I never use!!! Back to normal soon.